Method of conversion of continuous medium flow energy and device for conversion of continuous medium flow energy

ABSTRACT

A flow being converted is directed through a convergent tube chamber formed by a shell of revolution via two screw channels systems whereas in the first screw channels system the flow is twisted and transfers its energy to a turbine installed on an axis located on a support structure in the second screw channels system the flow is directed through screw channels where a flow with reduced pressure is formed providing transportation of the first flow coming out of the turbine. The channel system may be equipped with a surface generating vortices, guide blades realised in a form of movable elements. The unit is equipped with a electrical generator, which can be installed in any zone, a system of floating suspensions, a rotational speed stabiliser, and a heat accumulator.

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The invention relates to power engineering and, in particular, tothe methods and devices for conversion of the continuous medium flowenergy into mechanical energy.

[0002] This invention may be used in wind and hydraulic driven powerengineering in various hydraulic and gas dynamic systems, for instance,when the motion of liquids, gas, two-phase or multicomponent media isused for mechanical energy generation.

[0003] The invention can be most successfully used in wind-drivenelectric power plants, in hydroelectric power plants, arranged in riverbeds (without dams), in tide-driven hydroelectric power plants, as wellas when the energy of thermoinduced flows is utilised includingsun-heated thermoinduced flows.

[0004] Known are methods of concentration of the wind flow power byplacing into the flow devices in the form of a convergent-divergentreflector are arranged coaxially with the direction of flow of the windto increase its velocity and hence the power of the flow directed ontothe power generating units of the above indicated electric plants.

[0005] What is common for such methods is that the profitability oftheir utilisation in wind-driven power generating systems of differenttype depends on the average velocity V of the flow.

[0006] For wind-driven electric power plants this velocity is V=8 . . .12 m/s. In addition, during the motion of the wind along the path of thedevice realising this or that energy conversion method as well as in thecourse of the interaction between the continuous medium flow and theelements of the said device, harmful secondary flows in the shape ofvortices are generated, and some energy of the flow is spent on theirformation; due to this fact, the flow is subject to an additionaldynamic resistance which reduces the efficiency of conversion of itsenergy.

[0007] In other words, since harmful secondary vortex flows aregenerated in the flow against the background of the main flow during theinteraction between the flow and the elements of the power generatingplant or when the flow is moving along the path of the device, theefficiency of conversion was limited by the loss of energy on theformation of the vortices.

[0008] There is a prior art method for the conversion of the continuousmedium flow energy into mechanical energy according to which arotational moment is imparted to the flow, and this moment is directedinto the inlet chamber and into a system of channels; a reduced pressureis created in the flow and this ensures an inflow of the medium from theexternal space and a concentration of the power in the formed flow; thenthe flow energy accumulated in this way is converted by means of therotary-action mechanism (Ragwalla A. A., Hsu C. T. “Power Coefficient ofTornado-Type Wind Turbines”. Journal Energy, 1983, V. 7, No. 66, p.735-737; Hsu Ñ. Ò., H. Ide. “Performance of Tornado-Type Wind Turbineswith Radial Supply”. Journal Energy, V. 7, No. 6, 1983, p.452-453).

[0009] The devices which realise this method are called TWES (TornadoWind Energy Systems) and they essentially are towers inside of which atornado-like vortex flow is generated. As it was already mentioned, thisflow originates due to the inflow of air inside the tower through one ora multiplicity of slots forming an arbitrary, but permanent for thegiven structure, angle with the local radius of the tower.

[0010] The slots in the tower are open on the windward side and closedon the leeward side. Upon passing through these slots the wind acquiresa tangential velocity component, and this involves the origination of avortex flow inside the tower. A reduced pressure zone is formed in thecore of such flow, and this results in the suction of additional massesof air inside the tower through the tower bottom, installed on a specialdevice designed for creating a draught.

[0011] The authors of the works cited and other researchers (see, forinstance, the works of So R. M. C. “On Vortex Wind Power”. Journal ofFluids Engineering, 1978, V. 100, p. 79-82) were guided by a wrongconception that the velocity field in the TWES is characterised by adistribution which is a characteristic of the Burgers vortex (Burgers J.M. “A Mathematical Model Illustrating the Theory of Turbulence”.Advanced Appl. Median., 1948, V. 1, p. 157-199). However, realisation ofthis method in the corresponding devices testifies to rather largelosses, caused by the above-described absence of conditions, which areintended to ensure smooth joining of the stream-lines in the jets,flowing through the slots into the tornado tower, with the stream-linesin the formed tornado-like flow.

[0012] The disadvantage of the given energy conversion method and of thedevices, based on this method, is that in this case the motion of theflow in the form of separate jets along the channels or volumes, intowhich this flow is directed, is characterised by nonstationarystream-lines, by their sharp bends and, as a consequence, by theformation of harmful secondary vortex flows involving energy losses bythe flows and a low degree of efficiency of the device, by means ofwhich the said method is realised.

[0013] From the hydrodynamic point of view the employed flow and thetransferred continuous medium flow are forced to form in their insidenot only those stream-lines, which are required for the realisation ofthe method, but also a large number of nonstationary parasitetrajectories. This results from the disagreement in the formation of theflow according to the said method accompanied by the natural conditionsof smooth vortex-free flow of continuous media, and the formation oftornadoes under natural conditions may serve as an example.

[0014] There is another prior art method of energy conversion of acontinuous medium flow comprising that the flow to be converted isdirected into an internal axis symmetric volume along two systems oftrajectories converging towards the axis of symmetry of this volume; thefirst of the said systems forms a vortex flow just in front of the zoneof conversion of the rotational moment and mechanical energy, ensuresconcentration of the mechanical energy and rotational moment in the axissymmetric volume, as well as the further conversion of the mechanicalenergy and rotational moment in the same volume, whereas the secondsystem of trajectories forms a flow with a reduced pressure, the saidpressure reduction ensuring evacuation of the continuous medium, whichflows out of the mechanical energy and rotational moment conversionzone; the first system of trajectories fills first the space area whichis limited by the two surfaces of revolution and then assumes the formof helices.

[0015] A device is known for conversion of the energy of natural flows;this device includes a converging chamber, two systems of channelsarranged symmetrically with regard to the central axis of the device,the first of the systems being provided with axes in the form ofhelices, a turbine with a fairing, smoothly conjugated to the centralinternal fairing, an electric generator connected to the turbine bymeans of the central shaft, passing through the central fairing, and asupporting structure.

[0016] The above method and device for its realisation have thefollowing disadvantages: there is no axial swirling in the first systemof trajectories and, therefore, the first system creates a rather weakreduced pressure in the area, delivered to which the flow is running outof the energy conversion zone; there is no description of the shape ofthe first system of channels, which could ensure high efficiency ofenergy conversion of the continuous medium flow in the said device.

[0017] In RU 20 59 881 G. I. Kiknadze, I. A. Gachechiladze and V. G.Oleinikov are proposing a method of conversion of continuous medium flowenergy and a device for a realisation thereof wherein generation ofharmful secondary vortices is reduced to a maximum to avoid any energylosses based on these harmful secondary vortices. In general it isproposed to organize a flow or flows of the streaming medium in a manneravoiding generation of any additional vortices not contributing to aconversion of energy to a maximum extend.

[0018] An object of this invention is to develop a method and a devicefor the conversion of a continuous medium flow and the energy of itsmotion in such a way that the said device and method form suchtrajectories of the motion, which ensure an increased conversion of theflow energy into mechanical energy.

[0019] In contradiction to RU 20 59 881 the inventors of this inventionsurprisingly found out that generation of additional vortices maycontribute to an increased generation of conversion of continuous mediumflow energy into mechanical energy. The inventors found out thatvortice, especially secondary vortices may be divided into at least twoclasses of vortices, i.e. vortices defined according to the invention asharmful or negative vortices being harmful or having a negativeinfluence for energy conversion and vortices contributing to an energyconversion being defined according to the invention as contributing orpositive vortices.

[0020] Harmful or negative vortices tend to influence the conversionefficiency in a negative manner as these are not limited to a certainarea or predefined local areas and are often centres of disordered flowregimes.

[0021] Contributing or positive vortices are vortices decreasing f.i.drag resistance or influencing a medium flow in a manner that saidenergy conversion is supported or increased. Often this type of vorticesassists in generating an improved or smoothened flow or smoothened flowregimes which then is a basis for reduced losses during energyconversion or is restricted to boundary layers which then avoids anintroduction of additional vortices in to a main flow.

[0022] Even more surprisingly the inventors found out that vorticesgenerated according to methods as disclosed in EP 92 911 873.5 being theEuropean regional phase of PCT/RU92/00106 and in EP 96 927 047.9 beingthe European regional phase of PCT/EP96/03200 are apt to generatecontributing vortices without a generation of essentially any harmful ornegative vortices. Both documents EP 92 911 873.5 being the Europeanregional phase of PCT/RU92/00106 and EP 96 927 047.9 being the Europeanregional phase of PCT/EP96/03200 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0023] Even more surprisingly the inventors found out that vorticesgenerated according to a teaching of EP 92 911 873.5 being the Europeanregional phase of PCT/RU92/00106 and EP 96 927 047.9 being the Europeanregional phase of PCT/EP96/03200 have a cleaning effect i.e. tend tosuck in and delete harmful vortices and, thus, contribute to aprevention of generating harmful vortices.

[0024] Accordingly, it is a further object of the invention to convertenergy at a reduced formation of harmful secondary flows and hydraulicresistance losses during the interaction between the flow and theelements of the device realising this method, as well as a reduction ofthe energy conversion zone size.

[0025] Besides, it was supposed to organise the motion of the used flowin such a way as to ensure evacuation (sucking off) of the waste flow,which has transferred part of its energy to an appropriate energyreceiver.

[0026] The set problem is solved in the following way: a method ofconversion of continuous medium flow energy and a device for itsrealisation according to RU 20 59 881 is improved in that surface areasof said device are used for generation of vortices as known from EP 92911 873.5 being the European regional phase of PCT/RU92/00106 and EP 96927 047.9 being the European regional phase of PCT/EP96/03200.

[0027] To that end it is described first how said method and deviceaccording to RU 20 59 881 are realized and then briefly how toincorporate surface areas incorporated according to EP 92 911 873.5being the European regional phase of PCT/RU92/00106 and EP 96 927 047.9being the European regional phase of PCT/EP96/03200.

[0028] According to RU 20 59 881 harmful secondary vortices areminimized and in the proposed method of conversion of the continuousmedium flow energy the flow to be converted is directed into theinternal axis symmetric volume along two systems of trajectoriesconverging towards the axis of symmetry of the said value; the firstsystem forms a vortex flow just in front of the zone of conversion ofthe rotational moment and mechanical energy, it concentrates themechanical energy and rotational moment in the axis symmetric volume andensures further conversion of the mechanical energy and rotationalmoment in the same volume, whereas the second system of trajectoriesforms a flow with a reduced pressure thus ensuring evacuation of thecontinuous medium flowing out of the mechanical energy and rotationalmoment conversion zone; the first system of trajectories will at firstfill that space area, which is limited by the two surfaces ofrevolution, and then it will assume the form of helices; in the secondsystem of trajectories the flow is swirled up, whereas the first systemtrajectories adjoining the surfaces of revolution are first rendered ashape in accordance with the dependencies given below:${\left. \begin{matrix}{{{Z_{1}(r)} = {C_{1}\left\lbrack {\frac{r - R_{0}}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R_{0}} - {\frac{1}{2\pi}\sin \frac{2\quad {\pi \left( {r - R_{0}} \right)}}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R_{0}}}} \right\rbrack}},} \\{{{Z_{2}(r)} = {{C_{2}/r^{2}} + {C_{3}\left\lbrack {\frac{r - R}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R} - {\frac{1}{2\pi}\sin \frac{2\quad {\pi \left( {r - R} \right)}}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R_{0}}}} \right\rbrack}}},}\end{matrix} \right\} R_{0}} \leq r \leq {N\quad R_{0}}$${{C_{1} \approx {- \frac{C_{2}}{2R^{2}}}},{C_{3} \approx \frac{C_{2}}{R^{2}}},}\quad$

[0029] and then the trajectories of the first system of trajectories arerendered a shape of helices in accordance with the dependencies:${\left. \begin{matrix}{{{{Z_{1i}(r)} = {{C_{4i}/r^{2}} + {C_{5i}\left\lbrack {\frac{r - R}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R} - {\frac{1}{2\pi}\sin \frac{2\quad {\pi \left( {r - R} \right)}}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R}}} \right\rbrack}}},}\quad} \\{{{\phi_{1i}(r)} = {\phi_{10i} + {\frac{v_{\phi 1}(R)}{2{v_{r1}(R)}}{\frac{R^{2}}{R_{0}^{2}}\begin{bmatrix}{\frac{R_{0}^{2}}{r^{2}} - 1 + \frac{\left( {r - R} \right)^{2}}{2\quad {R_{0}\left( {R_{0} - R} \right)}} -} \\{{\frac{1}{2} + \frac{R}{2R_{0}}}\quad}\end{bmatrix}}}}},}\end{matrix} \right\} R} \leq r \leq R_{0}$0 < C_(4i) < C₂, C_(5i) = C₃C_(4i)/C₂,

[0030] The second system of trajectories results from the interactionbetween the directed flow and the concave surface of revolution, and inthis case the trajectories of the second system of trajectories, whichare adjacent to this surface of revolution, are rendered the . shape inaccordance with the dependencies given below:${{Z_{3}(r)} = {{C_{6}/r^{2}} + {C_{7}\left\lbrack {\frac{r - R}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R} - {\frac{1}{2\pi}\sin \frac{2\quad {\pi \left( {r - R} \right)}}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R}}} \right\rbrack}}},\quad {R_{0} \leq r \leq {N\quad R_{0}}}$C₆ ≥ C₂, C₇ ≥ C₃,

[0031] and then the trajectories of the second system of trajectoriesare rendered the shape of helices in compliance with the dependencies:${\left. \begin{matrix}{{{{Z_{2i}(r)} = {{C_{8i}/r^{2}} + {C_{9i}\left\lbrack {\frac{r - R}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R} - {\frac{1}{2\pi}\sin \frac{2\quad {\pi \left( {r - R} \right)}}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R}}} \right\rbrack}}},}\quad} \\{{{\phi_{2i}(r)} = {\phi_{20i} + {\frac{v_{\phi 2}(R)}{2{v_{r2}(R)}}{\frac{R^{2}}{R_{0}^{2}}\begin{bmatrix}{\frac{R_{0}^{2}}{r^{2}} - 1 + \frac{\left( {r - R} \right)^{2}}{2\quad {R_{0}\left( {R_{0} - R} \right)}} -} \\{{\frac{1}{2} + \frac{R}{2R_{0}}}\quad}\end{bmatrix}}}}},}\end{matrix} \right\} \quad R} \leq r \leq R_{0}$C_(8i) > C₈, C_(9i) > C₇,

[0032] where:

[0033] r, Φ, z-cylindrical coordinates, in which axis Z coincides withthe axis of the axis symmetric volume, in which the vortex flow isgenerated;

[0034] R₀-distance from the axis of the axis symmetric volume to thebeginning of the helical trajectories; $R \approx {\frac{1}{5}R_{0}}$

[0035] radius of the axis symmetric volume in the zone where the formedvortex flow runs out of the said volume;

[0036] NR₀-distance from the axis of axis symmetric volume to thebeginning of the convergent surface of revolution, N≦2;

[0037] C₂-constant value connected with height Z and radius R of theaxis symmetric volume: ${C_{2} \approx \frac{Z\quad R^{2}}{2}};$

[0038] C₁, C₃-constants, expressed through constants C₂;

[0039] C_(4i), C_(5i)-constants, which vary within the above indicatedranges;

[0040] Φ_(10i), Φ_(20i)-values of angle Φ at the beginning of the i-thhelical trajectory of the first and second systems accordingly;$\frac{v_{\phi 1}(R)}{v_{r1}(R)},\frac{v_{\phi 2}(R)}{v_{r2}(R)}$

[0041] relations of rotational and radial velocity components at radiusR for the first and second systems of helical trajectories accordingly;

[0042] C₆, C₇-constants, which vary within the above indicated ranges;

[0043] C_(8i)<ZR²-constant, which does not exceed the product of heightZ of the axis symmetric volume, in which the vortex flow is generated,by the square of its radius R;

[0044] C_(9i)≦Z-constant, which is less than the height of the axissymmetric volume, in which the vortex flow is generated or is of thesame order with the height.

[0045] The proposed method ensures suppression of the vortex streams inthe flow on the leg of its motion along the radially convergingtrajectories and concentration of the flow energy, which is expressed bythe increase of its velocity and decrease of the summary area of thecross section of the converging trajectories. As the flow runs along thefirst system of helical trajectories the following takes place: theharmful secondary vortex jets continue attenuating, the degree ofconcentration of the flow energy increases and velocity components formin the flow, which correspond to natural vortex streams, for instance,tornadoes, whirlpools. The formation of a vortex as the flow runs alongthe first system of trajectories results in a concentrated steady vortexflow with an effective concentration of the pressure differential intokinetic energy of the motion of particles and into a rotational moment,which are required for complete transfer of the energy to the rotationalmoment and energy receiver.

[0046] As the flow moves along the second system of trajectories theharmful secondary vortex streams also attenuate and flow velocitycomponents are generated, which correspond to natural vortex flows. Inthis case an intensive decrease of pressure takes place in thenear-axial zone due to the acceleration of particles, due to theacquisition of a rotational velocity component by the particles, as wellas due to the reduction of the hydraulic losses and to the highstability of the formed vortex flow, since these phenomena prevent theformation of harmful secondary vortex streams.

[0047] The steady vortex flow, formed after it passes through the firstsystem of trajectories, is delivered into the rotational moment andenergy conversion zone due to the interaction between the flow and therotational moment and energy receiver. Changing its rotational moment,the flow influences by the moment of forces the moment and energyreceiver thereby providing energy transfer to the receiver. At the saidmethod of conversion of the formed continuous medium vortex flow energythe generation of harmful secondary vortex streams in the energyconversion zone is reduced to the minimum, the nonuniformity of thepressure fields decreases, additional mass inertial forces originate,which result from the rotation of the medium, and this facilitatesmaximum efficiency in the conversion of the flow energy. The waste flowrunning out of the energy conversion zone enters the decreased pressurezone created by the rotating flow, formed as the flow runs through thesecond system of trajectories. In this case, the waste flow isintensively sucked away from the conversion zone and evacuated into theexternal space due to the reduced pressure and increased kinetic energyof the flow which runs through the second system of channels and also isdelivered into the external space.

[0048] The motion of the initial flow along the convergent trajectoriesand through the two systems of trajectories is characterised by thesmooth transition from the initial flow velocity field to the velocityfield of the formed flow, small degree of vortex generation andefficient concentration of energy due to the choice of the shape ofthese trajectories, which involve formation of a vortex flow similar tonatural vortex streams.

[0049] The latter circumstance implies the naturalness and stability ofthe streamlines in that sense that the flow, which starts moving alongthe said trajectories, has a tendency to continue such motion withoutthe necessity of application of essential forces for keeping the flowrunning along the above-described trajectories.

[0050] Motion along such pathways is characterised by a stable balanceof inertial forces and pressure gradients, and this results in thereduction of hydraulic losses on the formation of vortices and in a highconcentration of the flow energy in the zone of its conversion.

[0051] The stated problem is also solved by the use of a device forconversion of the energy of natural flows; this device comprises aconvergent-type chamber, two systems of channels arranged symmetricallywith regard to the central shaft of the device; the first system is madewith axes in the form of helices, a turbine with a fairing, smoothlyconjugated to the central internal fairing, an electric generatorconnected to the turbine by means of the central shaft, passing throughthe central fairing, and a supporting structure; the second system ofchannels is made with axes in the form of helices, and in this case theinlet convergent-type chamber is formed by the shells of revolution setup in cylindrical coordinates in according with the followingdependencies for the lower shell:${{Z_{1}(r)} = {C_{1}\left\lbrack {\frac{r - R_{0}}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R_{0}} - {\frac{1}{2\pi}\sin \frac{2\quad {\pi \left( {r - R_{0}} \right)}}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R_{0}}}} \right\rbrack}},\quad {R_{0} \leq r \leq {N\quad R_{0}}}$${C_{1} \approx {- \frac{C_{2}}{2R^{2}}}},$

[0052] for the upper shell:${{{Z_{2}(r)} = {{C_{2}/r^{2}} + {C_{3}\left\lbrack {\frac{r - R}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R} - {\frac{1}{2\pi}\sin \frac{2\quad {\pi \left( {r - R} \right)}}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R_{0}}}} \right\rbrack}}},\quad {R_{0} \leq r \leq {N\quad R_{0}}},{C_{2} \approx \frac{Z\quad R^{2}}{2}},{C_{3} \approx \frac{C_{2}}{R^{2}}},}\quad$

[0053] The upper shell of the convergent chamber serves simultaneouslyas the guide surface for part of the flow delivered into the secondsystem of channels, whereas the spatial position of the channel axes ofthe first system of trajectories is set up in accordance with thedependencies: $\begin{matrix}{{{Z_{1i}(r)} = {\frac{Z\quad {R^{2}\left( {1 - {1/2}} \right)}}{n\quad r^{2}} + {\frac{Z\quad {R\left( {1 - {1/2}} \right)}}{n}\left\lbrack {\frac{r - R_{0}}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R_{0}} - {\frac{1}{2\pi}\sin \frac{2\quad {\pi \left( {r - R_{0}} \right)}}{{N\quad R_{0}} - R_{0}}}} \right\rbrack}}},} \\{{{\phi_{1j}(r)} = {\phi_{10j} + {\frac{v_{\phi 1}(R)}{2{v_{r1}(R)}}{\frac{R^{2}}{R_{0}^{2}}\left\lbrack {\frac{R_{0}^{2}}{r^{2}} - 1 + \frac{\left( {r - R} \right)^{2}}{2\quad {R_{0}\left( {R_{0} - R} \right)}} - \frac{1}{2} + \frac{R}{2R_{0}}} \right\rbrack}}}},} \\{{R \leq r \leq R_{0}},{S \leq 1},{i = 1},2,\quad \ldots \quad,{{n\quad j} = 1},2,\quad \ldots \quad,n_{\phi 1}}\end{matrix}$

[0054] and the spatial position of the channel axes of the second systemof trajectories is set up by dependencies: $\begin{matrix}{{{Z_{2i}(r)} = {\frac{{ZR}^{2}\left( {1 - {1/2}} \right)}{{nr}^{2}} + {\frac{{SZ}\left( {1 - {1/2}} \right)}{n}\left\lbrack {\frac{r - R_{0}}{{NR}_{0} - R} - {\frac{1}{2\quad \pi}\quad \sin \quad \frac{2\quad {\pi \left( {r - R} \right)}}{{NR}_{0} - R}}} \right\rbrack}}},} \\{{{\phi_{2j}(r)} = {\phi_{20\quad j} + {\frac{v_{\phi \quad 2}(R)}{2\quad {v_{r2}(R)}}{\frac{R^{2}}{R_{0}^{2}}\left\lbrack {\frac{R_{0}^{2}}{r^{2}} - 1 + \frac{\left( {r - R} \right)^{2}}{2{R_{0}\left( {R_{0} - R} \right)}} - \frac{1}{2} + \frac{R}{2R_{0}}} \right\rbrack}}}},} \\\begin{matrix}{{R \leq r \leq R_{0}},} & {{i = {n_{1} + 1}},{n_{1} + 2},\ldots \quad,n,} & {{j = 1},2,\ldots \quad,n_{\phi \quad 2}}\end{matrix}\end{matrix}$

[0055] where:

[0056] r, Φ, Z-cylindrical coordinates with axis Z coinciding with thecentral axes of the device;

[0057] Z-height of axis symmetric internal volume of the device

[0058] R-its radius in the zone of the outlet of the formed vortex flow;

[0059] R₀≈5R -distance from the axis of symmetry of the device to theplace of the flow inlet into the system of channels;

[0060] NR₀-distance from the axis of the axis symmetric volume to thebeginning of the shells formed by the inlet convergent-type chamber, N2;

[0061] i-index that gives numbers to the axes in the systems ofchannels, counting upward;

[0062] n-maximum value of index i,

[0063] j-index that gives numbers to the axes in the systems of channelsin the order of rotation around the central shaft of the device;

[0064] Φ_(10j), Φ_(20j)-values of angle Φ at the beginning of the j-thhelical trajectory of the first and second systems accordingly;

[0065] n_(i)-maximum value of index i for the first system;

[0066] n-maximum value of index i for the second system;$\frac{v_{\phi \quad 1}(R)}{v_{r1}(R)},\frac{v_{\phi \quad 2}(R)}{v_{r2}(R)}$

[0067] relation between rotational and radial velocity components onradius R for the first and second systems of helical trajectoriesaccordingly;

[0068] nΦ₁, nΦ₂-maximum values of index j for the first and secondsystems of channels accordingly.

[0069] The shape of the central internal fairing is described by thedependence: Z = C r 2 ,  C = ( 1 - 4 )     10 - 4  ZR 2 .

[0070] The systems of channels are provided with guide vanes, made asmovable elements which automatically narrow the inlet into the first andsecond systems of channels, when the rate of flow exceeds the nominalvalue.

[0071] The electric generator is located in any zone of the device,either over the turbine or under the lower shell of the inletconvergent-type chamber.

[0072] The device is provided with a system of floating supportsconsisting of magnets which ensure longitudinal spacing of the deviceunits, electromagnets with a control system, which serve to compensatelateral and longitudinal oscillations of the device rotating parts.

[0073] The device is also provided with a stabiliser of the number ofrevolutions and with a flywheel connected to the central shaft of thedevice.

[0074] The device is equipped with a thermal accumulator utilising theenergy of the Sun or any other sources of heat; the accumulator isinstalled over the flywheel and serves for preheating and stimulation ofupward flows of continuous medium; in this case the surface of thethermal accumulator directs the upward flow into the inletconvergent-type chamber in the form of preliminarily swirled jets of thecontinuous medium.

[0075] The supporting structure has at least three supporting points.The structure is rigidly connected to the surface of the inletconvergent-type chamber and it is provided with recesses for theinstallation and fixing of the mechanical systems of the device centralshaft, magnetic supporting points and units of the device; the structurealso ensures the required orientation of the entire device, its locationon the surface of the ground, in pressure communication lines or inhydraulic channels.

[0076] The use of the indicated device ensures efficient conversion ofthe flow in the inlet convergent-type chamber due to the indicatedprofiles formed by the chamber shells; this conversion is expressed inthe concentration of the streamlines of the flow entering the chamber,and in this case there is practically no formation of harmful secondaryvortex streams, break-away or stagnation zones, and the flow isgradually applied to the first system of helical channels. If in theinlet chamber the turbulent flow contains considerable velocitypulsations (an increased turbulence level of the flow entering thedevice), then due to the selected shape of the inlet chamber shells theflow is quazilaminarised as it runs through the inlet chamber. The inletchamber design in the form of two shells, which are symmetrical withregard to the device axis, permits the device to work at any directionof the oncoming flow. Thus, there is no necessity of orientation of theinlet chamber in the direction of the on-coming flow.

[0077] The continuous medium is directed into the second system ofchannels due to its interaction with the upper shell of the convergingchamber serving as the guiding surface for this part of the flow. Theindicated profile of the upper shell of the converging chamber ensuresan increase of the rate of flow through the second system of channelsand amplifies the evacuation of the waste flow onto the turbines, thusincreasing the efficiency of operation of the device. The first systemof channels serves for subsequent concentration of the flow velocity andkinetic energy. The choice of the channel axes of this system inaccordance with the above-mentioned relations practically excludes theformation of harmful secondary flows in each of the channels and, inaddition, a steady flow is formed after the convergence of the flows,running out of each channel of the first system of channels, and thissteady flow has a minimum level of turbulence and ensures a high degreeof concentration of the flow velocity.

[0078] Thus, the first system of channels forms a vortex flow anddirects it into the zone at the turbine space inlet, ensuring therequired rotational moment of the flow and concentrating the flow energyfor its further conversion in the turbine. In the turbine inter-vanespace the incoming flow is divided into separate flows, which transmittheir moment of momentum to the turbine vanes, dividing the flow.

[0079] The second system of channels also serves for the concentrationof the velocity and kinetic energy of the flow running into it as aresult of the interaction between the on-coming flow and the upper shellof the convergent chamber. The choice of the channel axes of the secondsystem in accordance with the indicated dependencies ensures a reductionof the formation of harmful secondary vortices, thus facilitatingefficient conversion of pressure into velocity, due to which thepressure strongly decreases as the flows from this system convergearound and above the outflow area from the turbine.

[0080] The resulting decrease of the pressure in the outflow zoneinvolves an increased rate of flow through the turbine; in addition, theeffect of the velocity increase will promote dynamically the evacuationof the waste flow from the outflow zone.

[0081] The out coming vortex flow, running from the device into the openspace and possessing due to the second system of channels a residualvortex, interacts with the external flow moving around the device as inthe event, when the device is used, for instance, as a wind-driven orhydraulically driven energy converter.

[0082] The combined effect of the flow concentration and its suction dueto the outflow from the second system and interaction with the externalflow results in an increased energy conversion efficiency due to thereduction of losses, taking away of the flow by suction, as well as bythe said interaction; in this case the speed of turbine rotationincreases and its dimensions decrease due to the concentration of thestreamlines or concentration of the velocity. In addition, the range ofutilisation of the working flows running at a small velocity willextend, since the concentration of the velocity of these flows involvesan increase of the velocity in the zone of location of the turbine. Thestability of the flow provided by profiling of the system of channels inaccordance with the natural shapes of the motion of natural vortexflows, as well as the smoothness of the velocity and pressure fields inthe formed jets ensure reliable operation of the turbine and of theentire device as a whole due to the reduction of the nonstationary loadeffects in the construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the proposed method of conversionof continuous medium flow energy into mechanical energy;

[0084]FIG. 2 is a general view of the device with a representation ofthe shells of the inlet converging chamber, shells of the two systems ofchannels, turbine in the axial section view, as well as of the channelaxes of both systems in coordinates r, z of the cylindrical coordinatesystem;

[0085]FIG. 3 shows the projections of the axes of the channels andcylindrical surfaces—side walls of the channels on the plane (r, Φ) ofthe cylindrical coordinate system;

[0086]FIG. 4 is a view of the shell of the first system of channels,turbine shells, turbine fairing, central fairing, electric generator,system of floating suspension members, stabiliser of number ofrevolutions, flywheel, central shaft of the device, thermal accumulator;

[0087]FIG. 5 is a view of the guide vanes of the first and secondsystems of channels;

[0088]FIG. 6 is a diagram of the supporting structure;

[0089]FIG. 7 a cross section of one embodiment of a surface area of thedevice or a component thereof as extending through a plane defined bythe average velocity vector and the normal to the surface in a first,more general inventive embodiment showing also the spatial repetition ofthe influence along the wall flow direction λ||;

[0090]FIG. 8 an elevated view on the surface and the sources of FIG. 7;

[0091] FIGS. 9 to 12: drawings of conductors for the generation ofelectric and magnetic fields in the vicinity of the surface;

[0092]FIGS. 13 and 14: elevational views on the surface containing assources of influence deformable surface elements comprising membranes;

[0093]FIG. 15 a cross section through a surface containing as source ofinfluence through holes for injecting and sucking off of parts of theflowing medium;

[0094]FIG. 16 a concavity relief section across a surface area accordingto a further embodiment of the device;

[0095]FIG. 17 the top view on surface of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0096] The proposed method of conversion of the energy of a turbulentcontinuous medium flow is realised, as indicated in FIG. 1, in thefollowing way:

[0097] The formed flow is directed along the two systems of radiallyconverging confuser trajectories into the internal axis symmetricvolume; the first system of trajectories A-A1, B-B1, A′-A′1 and B′-B′1fills at first the space area limited by the two surfaces of revolutionT₁ and T₂, whereas the second system of trajectories C-C1, D-D1, C′-C′1and D′-D′1 is formed as a result of the interaction between the directedflow and the concave surface of revolution T₃.

[0098] In the course of the flow motion the first system of trajectoriesis shaped as helical trajectories E-E1, F-F1, E′-E′1 and F′-F′1; as theformed flow passes through this system, a vortex flow is generated frompart of this flow just in front of the zone of conversion of therotational moment and mechanical energy K, which are concentrated in thesaid flow due to merging of the jets in the process of their motionthrough the first system of trajectories A-A1, B-B1, A′-A′1, B′-B′1,E-E1, F-F1, E′-E′1 and F-F′1.

[0099] In the course of the flow motion, the second system oftrajectories is subsequently rendered the shape of helical trajectoriesG-G1, H-H1, G′-G′1 and H′-H′1; as these trajectories pass through thesystem a vortex flow is also generated from part of the formed flow dueto the merging of the jets in the process of their running through thesecond system of trajectories C-C1, D-D1, C′-C′1, D′-D′1, G-G1, H-H1,G′1-G′1, H′-H′1; this vortex flow being characterised by a reducedpressure, which ensures ejection of the medium flowing out of itsrotational moment and energy Ê conversion zone.

[0100] The device for conversion of the continuous medium flow energycontains inlet converging chamber (1) made in the form of shells ofrevolution. The channels are grouped up into two systems.

[0101] The first system of channels is formed by shells of revolution(2) (FIGS. 2, 4, 5) and cylindrical surfaces (3) (see FIG. 3).

[0102] The second system of channels is formed in a way similar to thatof the first system by shells of revolution (4) (see FIGS. 2, 5) andcylindrical surfaces (3) (see FIG. 3). Axes (5) are the axes of thefirst system of channels in coordinates r,z (FIG. 2), axes (6) are theaxes of the first system of channels in coordinates r,Φ (FIG. 3), axes(7) are the axes of the second system of channels in coordinates r,z; 2(FIG. 2), axes (6) are the axes of the second system of channels incoordinates r,Φ (see FIG. 3). Formed inside the device is internal axissymmetric volume (8) (see FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5).

[0103] The proposed device comprises the turbine (9) (FIGS. 2, 4, 6),which is located in the axis symmetric volume, the vanes and shells ofthe said turbine have a shape that ensures a change of the rotationalmoment of the vortex flow passing through the turbine.

[0104] The upper shell of inlet chamber (1) (FIGS. 2, 5) servessimultaneously as a guide for part of the flow running into the secondsystem of channels.

[0105] The device may contain an internal central fairing (10) (FIG. 4),turbine fairing (11) (FIG. 4), the shape of which ensures smoothconjugation to the shape of the central internal fairing, guide vanes(12) of the first system of channels (FIG. 5) and guide vanes (13) ofthe second system of channels (FIG. 5), the guide vanes being made inthe form of movable elements, which automatically narrow the inlet intothe first and second systems of channels as the rate of flow exceeds thenominal value.

[0106] The device may be provided with electric generator (14) (FIGS. 4,6), located in the zone of the device either over the turbine, or underthe lower shell of the convergent inlet chamber, the rotor of the givengenerator being connected to turbine (9) (FIGS. 2, 4, 6) through centralshaft (15) (FIGS. 4, 6) passing through central fairing (10) (FIG. 4), asystem of floating suspension members consisting of magnets (16) (FIGS.4, 6) and electromagnets (17) and (18) (FIG. 4).

[0107] The device may also be provided with a stabiliser (19) of thenumber of revolutions (see FIGS. 4, 6), which is connected to centralshaft (15) of the device and to flywheel (20) (FIGS. 4, 6). The devicemay include a thermal accumulator (21) (FIGS. 4, 6), which is installedover flywheel (20) (FIGS. 4, 6) or is combined with the latter.

[0108] The device may be equipped with a supporting structure (22) (FIG.6), which has at least three supporting points and is rigidly connectedto the surface of inlet converging-type chamber (1); the supportingstructure serves for the installation and attachment of the mechanicalsystems, magnetic suspension members and units of the device; it servesalso to ensure the required orientation of the entire device in space.

[0109] The proposed device, which is presented in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and6, operates as follows. As the flow enters inlet chamber (1) (see FIGS.2, 5, 6) it runs to the first system of channels. In this case, due tothe indicated shape of the inlet chamber shells, the flow isquazilaminarised and concentrated; this finds its expression in theconcentration of the streamlines of the said flow. The flow is directedinto the second system of channels due to the interaction between theflow and the upper shell of the inlet chamber. In the first system ofchannels the velocity and mechanical energy of the flow are furtherconcentrated. The choice of axes (5) and (6) of the channels of thissystem, made in accordance with the above-described relations,practically excludes the formation of harmful secondary flows in each ofthe channels and, besides, after merging of the flows, running from eachchannel of the first system of channels, a steady flow (I) (FIG. 6) isformed, the turbulence level of which is minimum, and this results in avery high degree of concentration of the flow velocity. The first systemof channels forms a vortex flow I (FIG. 2 ) and directs this flow intothe zone of the intervane space inlet of turbine (9) (FIG. 2), thusimparting the required rotational moment to the flow and concentratingits energy for further conversion in the turbine.

[0110] In the intervane space of turbine (9) the flow, entering theturbine and being divided therein into separate flows, transfers itsmoment of momentum to the turbine.

[0111] A subsequent concentration of the velocity and mechanical energyof the flow (see FIG. 6) takes also place in the second system ofchannels, into which the flow is directed. The choice of the axes of thechannels of the second system of channels made in accordance with theabove-mentioned dependencies, will reduce the formation of harmfulsecondary vortices and facilitate the efficiency of conversion ofpressure into velocity, due to which the pressure will sharply drop asthe flows, running out of this system, merge in the zone around andabove the outflow area from the turbine, i.e. in the region of flow P(see FIG. 2).

[0112] The reduced pressure in the outflow zone resulting from the abovepressure drop will promote an increase of the rate of flow through theturbine; in addition, the velocity effect of flow P (see FIG. 2) willdynamically facilitate the evacuation of the waste flow from the outflowarea.

[0113] The outcoming vortex flow P (see FIG. 2), running from the deviceinto the open space and possessing, due to the second system ofchannels, a residual twisting, interacts with the external flow movingaround the device as in the case when the device is used, for instance,as a wind-driven or hydraulically-driven energy converter and it mateswith this flow in the same way as natural vortex flows mate with thegenerating medium.

[0114] When central fairing (10) (FIG. 4) and turbine fairing (11) (FIG.4) are used, the device operates in a similar way, but in this case itsefficiency will increase due to the decrease of the formation of harmfulsecondary vortices, the said decrease resulting from the shape of thecentral fairing and turbine fairing.

[0115] Guide vanes (12) (FIG. 5) of the first system of channels andguide vanes (13) of the second system of channels (FIG. 5) willautomatically narrow the inlet into the first and second systems ofchannels in case the rate of flow exceeds the nominal value. Electricgenerator (14) (FIGS. 4, 6) takes up rotation of turbine (9) (FIGS. 2,4, 6) through central shaft (15) and thus generates electric power.

[0116] Floating suspension members (16) ensure smoothness and stabilityof rotation, and in this case electromagnets (17) and (18) (FIG. 4)prevent the development of dynamic instabilities in the rotation ofcentral shaft (15) thanks to the use of an automatic control system.

[0117] Stabiliser (19) of the number of revolutions and flywheel (20)ensure uniform rotation of the rotor of electric generator (14).

[0118] Thermal accumulator (21) accumulates the energy of the Sun or ofsome other sources of heat and stimulates the upward flows of thecontinuous medium by its heating, directing these flows into the inletconvergent chamber in the form of preliminarily twisted jets ofcontinuous medium.

[0119] According to an improvement of this invention, at least a surfacearea of a component or a device as mentioned above is formed in a mannerthat vortices are generated. These vortices are contributing or positivevortices and preferably are generated in a boundary layer or boundarylayers.

[0120] To that end, the continuous medium flow is influenced by a fieldof forces at least in its wall region within a range of distances ynalong the normal from the surface 23, a turn of the velocity vectors ofthe continuous medium particles is caused repeatedly in space and/or intime by said influence of said forces said influence is causing saidturn in a range of angles α alternately towards the surface 23 and fromit away and in a range of angles β alternately to the left and to theright with regard to the direction of the velocity vectors of thecontinuous medium particles of the near-wall flow, said range yn beingfrom 0.005 to 0.3 times the boundary layer thickness δ, or theequivalent hydraulic diameter of the pressure channel, or thecharacteristic hydraulic dimension of the near-wall flow; said angle αbeing between α=0.02 to 0.5 radian; said angle β being between β=0.02 to0.3 radian; the intensity of said influence or the strength of saidforces is such that the minimum curvature radius R_(min), of thetrajectory of the flow of said particles is from 2 to 30 averagedistances S along the normal from the streamlined wall to the curvedtrajectory of the particle, whereas one or both of the below standingfeatures a) and/or b) is/are valid:

[0121] a) the spatial repetition of said influence being λ||=(3 to 30)yn along the direction of the wall flow and λ

=(1 to 10) yn perpendicular to the direction of the wall flow;

[0122] b) the time repetition T being from 3 to 30 times the distancesyn divided by the average velocity v in the boundary or wall layers.

[0123] Thereby, the particles may be the elementary (small) volumes(parts, portions) of the continuous medium flow or may be solidparticles streaming within the gases, liquids and/or their mixtures.

[0124] The near-wall flow of the continuous medium is defined as theflow of the continuous medium in direct neighbourhood (nearness) of thestreamlined wall (surface).

[0125] The boundary layer thickness δ denotes a distance along thenormal from the streamlined wall surface 23 whereby on said distance theflow velocity reaches the value 0.99 of the external potential flowvelocity (reference is made to the work of Schlichting G. “Theory ofBoundary Layer”, Moscow, NAUKA Publishing House, 1974, pp. 712 whichpublication is incorporated herein by reference).

[0126] The equivalent hydraulic diameter of the pressure channel isdefined as the ratio of quadruple channel cross section area to theperimeter of said cross section, see also Schlichting G. “Theory ofBoundary Layer”, Moscow, NAUKA Publishing House, 1974, pp. 712.

[0127] Further, the characteristic hydraulic dimension of the near-wallflow is the distance in the wall region corresponding to the essentialchange of flow velocity. In this regard, the wall region is a spatialregion near the surface 23 in which the flow of the continuous medium isinfluenced by the presence of the surface 23.

[0128] The average distance S along the normal from the streamlined wallto the curved trajectory of the particle is defined as the half sum ofthe minimum and maximum distances along the normal from the wall to theparticle moving along the curved trajectory.

[0129] In the case when the averaged velocity vectors turn toward thestreamlined surface, this, as a rule, involves a decrease of the pulseand heat transfer from the flowing continuous medium to the surface 23,past which the flow runs, whereas when the said vectors turn from thesurface 23, past which the flow runs, the pulse and heat transferincreases. Turns of the velocity vectors to the left or to the rightwith regard to the direction of the wall flow involve a transfer of thepulse across the said flow and perpendicular with regard to the normalto the surface 23, past which the flow runs.

[0130] The turns of the velocity vectors have an influence on the shiftof the averaged velocity, i.e. on the derivatives of the absoluteaveraged velocity value with regard to the directions, which areperpendicular to the averaged velocity vectors. The changed Reynoldsstresses also involve changes of the derivatives of the velocitycomponents with regard to the coordinates. These factors, along with theextension of the tubes of flow under conditions of a three-dimensionalchange of the averaged velocity, result in the formation of variousvortex structures, including tornado-like ones. The vortex structures intheir turn influence the transfer of the pulse, heat and admixtures.

[0131] The distance yn from the wall, within which the field of forcesexercises its influence on the continuous medium flow and which involvesturns of the continuous medium particle velocity vectors, corresponds tothe zone of formation and transformation of coherent large-scalestructures, which play an important role in the wall turbulencemechanism. At a turbulent flow of the continuous medium this distance isnormally enclosed within the range from 0.005 to 0.3 times the thicknessδ of the boundary layer, or equivalent hydraulic diameter of thepressure channel, or characteristic hydraulic dimension of the wallflow.

[0132] Control of the continuous medium boundary or wall layer is alsoachieved by repeated influences on the wall flow correlated in time. Thetrace of the influence on the wall flow has an extension of thehydrodynamic length scale to approx. 20 yn. In this case a nonmonotonousbehaviour of the turbulent flows of the pulse, heat or admixtures may beobserved in the trace region, depending on the kind and intensity of theinitial influence. Correlation of the repeated influences on the wallflow permits an increase of the desired effects of a single influence onthe flow and a decrease of the undesired effects.

[0133] The influence on the flow may be exercised by a magnetic fieldalternating in space and/or in time or jointly by a magnetic field andan electric field, concentrated in the wall region within a range ofdistances yn=(0.005-0.3)δ.

[0134] The influence on the flow may be accomplished by the shape of thestreamlined surface alternating as deformable membranes, which are heldat the circumference thereof, in space and/or in time, whereby pressuregradients are generated, which undergo changes in value and direction.

[0135] The flow may be influenced by blowing the continuous medium inand by sucking it off alternately in space and/or in time in varioussections of the surface, past which the flow runs.

[0136] Given in FIG. 7 is the diagrammatic representation of the wallflow region with an indication of the velocity profile of v, thetrajectory A of the continuous medium particle, the range of distancesyn from the wall, around which the flow runs, the boundary layerthickness δ or characteristic hydraulic dimension of the wall flow,angles of turns of the continuous medium particle velocity vectors αtowards the streamlined surface B and from it away under the influenceof a field of forces F, the average distance S from the streamlined wallto the curved trajectory A of the particle, the minimum curvature radiusR_(min), of trajectory A of the continuous medium particle, the spatialrepetition of the influence along the wall flow direction λ||.

[0137]FIG. 8 shows the diagrammatic representation of two trajectoriesA1 and A2 of the continuous medium particles in the projection onstreamlined surface B with an indication of the turn angles β of thecontinuous medium particle velocity vectors to the left and to the rightwith regard to the wall flow direction v under the influence of thefield of forces F, and spatial repetition of the influence across thedirection of wall flow λ||.

[0138] Shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are the diagrammatic representations ofregions C of streamlined surface B, the shape of which alternates inspace and/or in time. The surfaces C may be including elastic membraneswhich are sealedly held at the circumference thereof and energized by apressure transmitting fluid on the other side of the surface 1. Thepressure of the fluid may be controlled for all of the membranes orseparately by means well known for a person skilled in the art.

[0139] Given in FIG. 15 is the diagrammatic representation ofstreamlined surface B with holes D for blowing in of the continuousmedium and holes E for sucking off this medium.

[0140] It has to be mentioned that the method of controlling theboundary or wall layer of the continuous medium may be realized in thefollowing way. As it is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 the continuous mediumflow is influenced by the field of forces F at least in its wall regionwithin a range of distances yn along the normal from the streamlinedsurface B, this range being from 0.005 to 0.3 of the boundary layerthickness δ, or equivalent hydraulic diameter of the pressure channel,or characteristic hydraulic dimension of the wall flow; by means of suchan influence the vectors of continuous medium particle velocities arecaused to turn alternately in space and/or in time through angles α=0.02to 0.5 radian to the streamlined surface or from it and through anglesβ=0.02 to 0.3 radian to the left or to the right with regard to thedirection of the wall flow v or v of the continuous medium, and in thiscase the influence intensity is such that the minimum curvature radiusR_(min), of trajectory A of the continuous medium particles, which areunder the influence of the field of forces F within the range of theindicated distances from the wall is from 2 to 30 average distances Salong the normal from the streamlined surface B to the particle curvedtrajectory A, whereas the spatial repetition of the influence is λ||=(3to 30)yn along the direction of flow, λ

=(1 to 10) yn across the direction of flow, time repetition T is from 3to 30 distances yn divided by the average velocity v in the boundary orwall layers, and this provides for the formation of secondarytornado-like vortex flows, which form the structure of the boundary orwall layer, and this structure determines the level of turbulence,transfer of the pulse, heat and admixtures. The createdthree-dimensional tornado-like structures are characterized by thenonzero helicity v·rot v≠0.

[0141] In accordance with the modern knowledge, the vortex flow regionswith the nonzero helicity, such as, for example, tornado-likestructures, lead to the effects of the anomalous energy transfer alongthe turbulence spectrum, to the negative turbulent viscosity and to thedisturbance of the Reynolds analogy in the direction of the heattransfer. So tornado-like vortex flows control and form the boundary orwall flow structure and create the helicity turbulence.

[0142] The flow is influenced by means of devices, the diagrammaticrepresentations of which are given in FIGS. 9 to 15 . To this end, anelectric current is passed via conductors a, b, c, d, e, f, g (FIGS. 9to 12), and electric potentials are applied to them (in particular toconductor h). In this case the current, passing through the conductors,creates a magnetic field, which influences the wall flow due to theelectric current, which is induced in the wall layer of the continuousmedium, including the influence due to the difference of the electricpotentials. The originating force F=σ[E×B+B×(B×v)] involves a turn ofthe continuous medium particle velocity vectors in accordance with theabove-described method. The electric current conductors may have variousconfigurations, in particular, they may be of the linear or area nature.In this case at least one of the dimensions of the conductors is from0.005 to 0.3 δ.

[0143] The flow is influenced by concavities and/or convexities c ofthis or that shape (FIGS. 13, 14), and in this case the depth (height)of the concavity (convexity) is from 0.005 to 0.3 δ, the minimumcurvature radius R_(min) of the concavity (convexity) in its main partis from 0.1 to 1.0 δ.

[0144] The influence on the flows accomplished by movable membranessecured at the perimeters of holes of this or that shape (thediagrammatic representation of membrane C is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12).In the given case the diameter of the holes is from 0.01 to 0.6 δ,whereas the displacement of the central part of the membrane is from0.005 to 0.3 δ.

[0145] The influence is accomplished by blowing the continuous medium inthe holes and by sucking it off through the holes. In this case the holediameter is from 0.005 to 0.1 δ, and the holes are arranged at a pitchof 2 to 10 hole diameters, whereas the velocity vector of the blown inor sucked off continuous medium forms an angle to the streamlinedsurface equal to a value of 0.1 to 1.0 radian.

[0146] The operation of the devices, provided with concavities,convexities, membranes, blowing in and sucking off holes, is obvious. Asthe flow runs past the concavities, convexities, membranes, holes, afield of pressure gradients is formed and there gradients cause thevectors of the continuous medium particle velocities to turn in the wallregion of the flow in accordance with the above-described method.

[0147] A very simple trial and error technique may be deployed to testand optimize operation of the device.

[0148] For a given surface the velocity vectors of the flow should bemeasured, which is known for a person skilled in the art, and may beperformed by well known techniques as f.i. laser anemometry, measuringof heat exchange, visual recording of particles located within the flow,and many others.

[0149] At first a source 25 of influence should be located in thevicinity of or in the surface 23; and testing of the flow structureprovides information of the directional change of the velocity vector v,i.e. also of the average velocity vector v, and is providing informationabout the distribution of angles of the velocity of the flow in thedirection of the normal and in a plane extending parallel to thesurface.

[0150] Based on the obtained results the intensity of the employedfields, i.e. the strength of the induced forces or the depth ofdeformation, may be amended, essentially in view of a distribution inthe direction of the normal to the surface 23.

[0151] Based on the measured lateral distribution of flow velocityvectors essentially the lateral dimensions of the first source 25 may beadapted and optimized.

[0152] After optimization of the first source 25 the second and furthersources may be located at a distance as described above. Thus a grid ofadapted sources may be obtained stepwise for substantially any surfacesof any shape and for basically all technically relevant devices. Thesources 25 may also be randomly or statistically distributed within thedefined ranges as described above.

[0153] It is obvious that there are different local velocities atdifferent places of a surface 23 within the device for conversion of theenergy of medium flows. Consequently, the resulting positions of thesources 25 will vary in accordance.

[0154] Furthermore, it is lying within the scope of the invention notonly to use a field of sources 25 which are placed at the respectivedistances for the respective as described above, but to use a very adense field of sources 25, e.g. magnetic coils, electric potentialplates, surface deformations by membranes, and/or ports for injectingand sucking off, which are not all energized at the same time. Byomitting the energization of the respective misplaced sources 25, it ispossible to control the local influence also for different velocities,respectively.

[0155] According to a further improvement of this invention, at least asurface area of the inventive device or a component thereof comprises athree-dimensional relief causing vortices to be generated in acontinuous medium flow running past the surface area. As in theembodiment described heretofore, these vortices are contributing orpositive vortices.

[0156] Reference is made to FIGS. 16 and 17, illustrating the furtherimprovement. According to this improvement, the device comprises asurface area 23, which ensures control of the process in the boundaryand near wall layers of continuous medium flows and which is providedwith a three-dimensional relief.

[0157] The three-dimensional relief is made in the shape of

[0158] concavities or convexities 27,

[0159] curvature areas 29 and

[0160] transition areas 31, whereby any section of said concavities 27or convexities along the surface area 23 has the shape of a smoothclosed line, described by the relation: $\begin{matrix}{{r\left( {\phi,z} \right)} = {\left( \frac{z}{h} \right)^{k}\left\lbrack {{r\left( {h,0} \right)} - \frac{l_{c}}{2} + {\Delta \quad {r\left( {\frac{\phi}{180} - {\frac{1}{4\quad \pi}\sin \quad \frac{4\quad \pi \quad \phi}{180}}} \right)}} +} \right.}} \\{\left. {{A_{1}\Delta \quad {r\left( {{\sin \quad \frac{\pi \quad \phi}{180}} - {\frac{1}{3}\quad \sin \quad \frac{3\quad \pi \quad \phi}{180}}} \right)}} + {A_{2}\Delta \quad {r\left( {{\sin \quad \frac{2\quad \pi \quad \phi}{180}} - {\frac{1}{2}\quad \sin \quad \frac{4\quad \pi \quad \phi}{180}}} \right)}}} \right\rbrack,}\end{matrix}$

[0161] where:

[0162] r(Φ,z) is the section radius in the direction of angle Φ countedfrom the line interconnecting the centers of the adjacent convacities orconvexities, or from any line, which lies in the indicated section;

[0163] z is the section height over the lowermost point of the concavityor section distance from the uppermost point of the convexity;

[0164] r(h,0) is the radius of the concavity or convexity section in thedirection of angle Φ=0°;

[0165] Δr(h,0)=r(h,180)−r(h,0) is the difference between the radii ofthe concavity or convexity section in the direction of angles Φ=180° andΦ=0°;

[0166] l_(c) is the dimension of the curvature area projected onto aplane extending parallel to the streamlined surface;

[0167] k=0, 3 to 0, 7 is a coefficient;

[0168] −1<A₁<1 is a coefficient of the shape of the section;

[0169] −1<A₂<1 is a coefficient of the shape of the section, and whereby

[0170] the depth of the concavities 27 or convexities h is 0,005 to 0,3of the thickness of the boundary layer or of the equivalent hydraulicdiameter of the duct,

[0171] the curvature area 29 of the concavities or convexities has, in aplane perpendicular to the surface, a common tangent with the transitionarea 31, which is located between the adjacent concavities 27 orconvexities and which is made in the shape of a bicurvature surface withradii R_(c1), R_(c2) meeting the following relations:

|R_(c1)|≳3 h and |R_(c2)|≳3 h,

[0172] whereby

[0173] the dimension D of the concavities 27 or convexities along thestreamlined surface is

D=(2 to 40) h,

[0174] the dimension l_(c) of the curvature area 29 along thestreamlined surface is

l_(c)=(0,05 to 0,3) D,

[0175] whereas the dimension l_(tr) of the transition area (31) alongthe line interconnecting the centers of the adjacent concavities 27 orconvexities is

l_(tr)=(0,05 to 3) D.

[0176] The surface area 23 may be any surface part of the deviceadjacent to the continuous flow medium. Advantageously, the concavitiesor convexities may be located in the vertices of parallelograms, thelengths t_(pt) of the sides of which are within the range of 1.05 to 4dimensions of the concavities 27 or convexities and the vertex angleα_(p) is 20° to 90°.

[0177] The relations as set forth above, which characterize theindicated relief of the concavities and convexities, have been obtainedas a result of processing thermophysical measurements.

[0178] The convexities relief section across the streamlined surface 23is similar to the relief section of the concavities shown in FIG. 16.

[0179] The streamlined surface 23 consists of concavities 27(convexities), which include curvature areas 29 and transition areas 31.

[0180] When a continuous medium flow runs past a surface provided withconcavities (convexities) containing elements of the indicateddimensions in the near wall area at a distance of 0.005 to 0.3 thicknessof the boundary layer or an equivalent hydraulic diameter of the duct,three-dimensional velocity and pressure fields of the continuous mediumare formed. The three-dimensional features of the velocity and pressurefields alongside with the inertia forces, which originate in the nearwall layers of the flow due to running of the flow past the convexities27 or concavities, result in the generation of Goertler vortices andother large-scale vortex structures, including tornado-like ones. Theindicated ranges of the dimensions of the concavity or convexityelements ensure generation of vortex structures resulting in theirself-organisation, which is favourable from the point of view of theintensification of the heat-and-mass transfer and of the otherprocesses, which take place in the boundary or near wall layers of thecontinuous medium flow.

[0181] The smooth shapes of the three-dimensional relief of concavitiesor convexities, the presence of a transition area in the shape of abicurvature surface between the concavities 27 or convexities ensure,according to proposed invention, the dynamical properties of thelarge-scale vortex structures and the possibility of their alignmentwith the main flow. This has found its expression in the laggingincrease of the hydraulic resistance as compared with the increase ofthe heat or mass transfer intensity, and in some cases there is even adecrease of the hydraulic resistance as compared with the hydraulicresistance of smooth surfaces.

[0182] In addition, the realisation of the proposed device results in avisible decrease of deposition of foreign impurities from the heatcarrier onto the streamlined surface. This fact is connected with thedirectness of the generation of Goertler- and tornado-like vortexstructures, which increase the transfer of the mass, the admixturesincluded, from the wall away into the flow core.

[0183] According to the improvement, the smoothness of the streamlinedrelief also ensures an increased corrosion resistance of the streamlinedsurface when continuous media are used, which usually involve corrosionprocesses. According to data of experiments, the peculiarities of themass transfer, originating due to the generation of large-scale vortexstructures, decrease the probability of the origination ofelectrochemical processes on the surface of the inventive deviceprovided with a relief as described herein.

[0184] The use of a three-dimensional concavity or convexity relief ofthe indicated parameters results in a noticeable increase of thecritical heat flows within a wide range of liquid pressure, massvelocity of line heal carrier and a relative vapour content. The shiftof the critical heat transfer towards high thermal loads as the flowruns past the surface, provided with the indicated relief, is caused bythe formation of a heated surface of large-scale self-organisingstructures, tornado-like structures included, by means of which thevapour bubbles are evacuated from the area surrounding the concavity orconvexity and taken away from the user wall layer into the flow core.Favourable to this is also the smoothness and the three-dimensionalfeatures of the relief, since they contribute to the change of thedirections of the orientation and twisting of the vortex structures.

1: A method of conversion of the energy of continuous medium flowscomprising: directing flow which is to be converted into a conversionsystem which has a surface or part of a surface generating vorticeswherein the continuous medium flow is influenced by a field of forces inits wall region of said surface or part of a surface within a range ofdistances yn along the normal from the surface or part of a surface(23); a turn of the velocity vectors of the continuous medium particlesis caused repeatedly in space and/or in time by said influence of saidforces, said influence is causing said turn in a range of angles αalternately towards the surface or part of a surface (23) and from itaway and in a range of angles β alternately to the left and to the rightwith regard to the direction of the velocity vectors of the continuousmedium particles of the near-wall flow; said range yn being from 0.005to 0.3 times the boundary layer thickness δ, or the equivalent hydraulicdiameter of the pressure channel, or the characteristic hydraulicdimension of the near-wall flow; said angle α being between α=0.02 to0.5 radian; said angle β being between β=0.02 to 0.3 radian; theintensity of said influence or the strength of said forces is such thatthe minimum curvature radius R_(min), of the trajectory of the flow ofsaid particles is from 2 to 30 average distances S along the normal fromthe streamlined wall to the curved trajectory of the particle; whereinone or both of the below standing features a) and/or b) is/are valid a)the spatial repetition of said influence being λ

=(3 to 30) yn along the direction of the wall flow and λ

=(1 to 10) yn perpendicular to the direction of the wall flow, b) thetime repetition T being from 3 to 30 times the distances yn divided bythe average velocity v in the boundary or wall layers. 2: (Cancelled).3: A The method of claim 1, wherein said surface or part of a surface isan internal surface of a device for converting the energy of continuousmedium flows. 4: A The method of claim 1, further comprising that theconverted flow is directed into the internal axis_symmetric volume alongtwo systems of trajectories converging towards the axis of symmetry ofthe said volume, the first of the said systems forms a vortex flow justin front of the zone of conversion of the rotational moment andmechanical energy, ensures concentration of the mechanical energy androtational moment in the axis symmetric volume and further conversion ofthe mechanical energy and rotational moment in the same volume, whereasthe second system of trajectories forms a flow with a reduced pressure,the said pressure reduction ensuring evacuation of the continuousmedium, which flows out of the zone of conversion of the energy androtational moment; the first system of trajectories at first fills thespace, which is limited by the two surfaces of revolution, and thenassumes the form of helical lines; wherein the flow is swirled up in thesecond system of trajectories, and in this case the trajectories of thefirst system, which adjoin the surfaces of revolution, are first shapedin accordance with the following dependencies: Z ₁(r)=C ₁ [r−R ₀ /NR ₀−R ₀−1/2π sin 2π(r−R ₀)/NR ₀ −R ₀], Z ₂(r)=C ₂ /r ² +C ₃ [r−R/NR ₀ −R−b/2 π sin 2π(r−R)/ C ₁ ≈−C ₂/2R ² , C ₃ ≈C ₂ /R ², and then thetrajectories of the first system of trajectories are shaped as helicesin accordance with the following dependencies: Z _(1i)(r)=C _(4i) /r ²+C _(5i) [r−R/NR ₀ −R−b/2 π sin 2π(r−R)/NR ₀ −R ₀],Φ_(1i)(r)=Φ_(10i)+ν_(Φ1)(R)/2ν_(r1)(R)/R ² R ₀ ² [R ₀ ² r ²−1+(r−R)²2R₀(R ₀ −R)−1/2+R/2R ₀], R≦r≦R₀, 0<C_(4i)<C₂, C _(5i) =C ₃ C _(4i) /C ₂,the second system of trajectories is formed as a result of theinteraction between the directed flow and the concave surface ofrevolution, and the trajectories of the second system of trajectories,which adjoin the said surface of revolution, are shaped according to thedependencies Z ₃(r)=C ₆ /r ² +C ₇ [r−R/NR ₀ −R−1/2π sin 2π(r−R)/NR ₀−R], R₀≦r≦NR₀ C₆≧C₂, C₇≧C₃, and then the trajectories of the secondsystem of trajectories are shaped as helices in accordance with thedependencies: Z _(2i)(r)=C _(8i) /r ² +C _(9i) [r−R/NR ₀ −R−1/2π sin2π(r−R)/NR ₀ −R ₀], Φ_(2i)(r)=Φ_(20i)+ν_(Φ2)(R)/2ν_(r2)(R)R ² /R ₀ ² [R₀ ² r ²−1+(r−R)²/2R ₀(R ₀ −R)−1/2+R2R ₀], R≦r≦R₀, C_(8i)>C₈, C_(9i)>C₇,where: r, Φ, Z-cylindrical coordinates, in which axis Z coincides withthe axis of the axis symmetric volume, in which the vortex flow isgenerated; R₀-distance from the axis of the axis symmetric volume to thebeginning of the helical trajectories; R=1/5R-radius of the axissymmetric volume in the zone, where the formed vortex flow runs out ofthe said volume; NR₀-distance from the axis of axis symmetric volume tothe beginning of the converging surface of revolution, N≧2; Ñ₂-constantvalue connected with height Z and radius R of the axis symmetric volume:C₂, C₃-constants, expressed through constants C₂; C_(4i),C_(5i)-constants, which vary within the above-indicated ranges; Φ_(10i),Φ_(20i)-values of angle Φ at the beginning of the i-th the healtrajectory of the first and second systems accordingly:V_(Φ1)(R)/V_(r1)(R), V_(Φ2 (R)/V) _(r2)(R)-relations of rotational andradial velocity components at radius R for the first and second systemsof helical trajectories accordingly; C₆, C₇-constants, which vary withinthe above-indicated ranges; C_(8i)<ZR²-constant, which does not exceedthe product of height Z of the axis symmetric volume, in which thevortex flow is generated, by the square of its radius R-C_(9i)<Z-constant, which is less than the height of the axis symmetricvolume, in which the vortex flow is generated or is of the same orderwith this height. 5: A device for conversion of the energy of mediumflows, comprising: a converging inlet chamber and systems of channelswherein a surface or part of a surface of said chambers and systems ofchannels generates vortices, wherein the continuous medium flow isinfluenced by a field of forces in its wall region of said surface orpart of a surface within a range of distances yn along the normal fromthe surface or part of a surface (23); a turn of the velocity vectors ofthe continuous medium particles is caused repeatedly in space and/or intime by said influence of said forces, said influence is causing saidturn in a range of angles a alternately towards the surface or part of asurface (23) and from it away and in a range of angles β alternately tothe left and to the right with regard to the direction of the velocityvectors of the continuous medium particles of the near-wall flow; saidrange yn being from 0.005 to 0.3 times the boundary layer thickness δ,or the equivalent hydraulic diameter of the pressure channel, or thecharacteristic hydraulic dimension of the near-wall flow; said angle αbeing between α=0.02 to 0.5 radian; said angle β being between β=0.02 to0.3 radian; the intensity of said influence or the strength of saidforces is such that the minimum curvature radius R_(min), of thetrajectory of the flow of said particles is from 2 to 30 averagedistances S along the normal from the streamlined wall to the curvedtrajectory of the particle, whereas one or both of the below standingfeatures a) and/or b) is/are valid a) the spatial repetition of saidinfluence being λ

=(3 to 30) yn along the direction of the wall flow and λ

=(1 to 10) yn perpendicular to the direction of the wall flow, b) thetime repetition T being from 3 to 30 times the distances yn divided bythe average velocity v in the boundary or wall layers. 6 (Cancelled). 7:The device for conversion of the energy of medium flows according toclaim 5, wherein said surface or part of a surface is an internalsurface or part of a surface of a device for converting the energy ofcontinuous medium flows. 8: The device for conversion of the energy ofthe solid medium flows according to claim 5 further comprising: aconverging inlet chamber; two systems of channels, arrangedsymmetrically with regard to the central shaft of the device, the firstof the said systems comprising axes in the form of helical lines; aturbine with a fairing, which smoothly conjugates the central internalfairing, an electric power generator, connected to the turbine by meansof the central shaft passing through the central fairing, and asupporting structure; wherein the second system of channels comprisesaxes in the form of helical lines; in this case the inlet convergingchamber is formed by the shells of revolution, set up in cylindricalcoordinates by the following relations for the lower shell: Z ₁(r)=C ₁[r−R ₀ /NR ₀ −R ₀−1/2π sin 2π(r−R ₀)/NR ₀ −R ₀], R₀≦r≦NR₀ C ₁ ≈−C ₂/2R², for the upper shell of converging chamber: Z ₂(r)=C ₂ /r ² +C ₃[r−R/NR ₀ −R−1/2π sin 2π(r−R)/NR ₀ −R ₀], R₀≦r≦NR₀, C ₂ ≈ZR ²2, C ₃ ≈C ₂/R ², whereas the upper shell of the converging chamber servessimultaneously as the guide surface for part of the flow delivered intothe second system of channels, while the spatial position of the channelaxes of the first system of trajectories is set up in accordance withthe dependencies Z _(1i)(r)=ZR ²(1−1/2)/nr ² +ZR(1−1/2)/n[r−R ₀ /NR ₀ −R₀−1/2π sin 2π(r−R ₀)/NR ₀ −R ₀], Φ_(1j)(r)=Φ_(10j)+ν_(Φ1)(R)/2ν_(r1)(R)R² /R ₀ ² [R ₀ ² r ²−1+(r−R)²/2R ₀(R ₀ −R)−1/2+R/2R ₀], R≦r≦R₀, i=1,2, .. . , n₁, j=1,2, . . . , n_(Φ1), and the spatial position of the channelaxes of the second system of trajectories is set up by the dependencies:Z _(2i)(r)=ZR ²(1−1/2)/nr ² +SZ(1−1/2)/n[r−R ₀ NR ₀ −R−1/2π sin2π(r−R)/NR ₀ −R], Φ_(2j)(r)=Φ_(20j)+ν_(Φ2)(R)/2ν_(r2)(R)R ² /R ₀ ² [R ₀² r ²−1+(r−R)²/2R ₀(R ₀ −R)−1/2+R/2R ₀], R≦r≦R₀, i=n ₁+1, n ₁+2, . . . ,n, j=1,2, . . . , n _(Φ2) where: r, Φ, Z-cylindrical coordinates withaxis Z coinciding with the central shaft of the device; Z-height of axissymmetric internal volume of the device; R-its radius in the zone of theoutlet of the formed vortex flow; R₀≈5R-distance from the axis ofsymmetry of the device to the place of the flow inlet into the system ofchannels; NR₀-distance from the axis of the axis symmetric volume to thebeginning of the shells formed by the inlet converging chamber, N≧2;I-index that gives numbers to the axes in the systems of channels,counting upward; n-maximum value of index I; j-index that gives numbersto the axes in the systems of channels in the order of rotation aroundthe central axis of the device; n₁-maximum value of index I for thefirst system; n-maximum value of index I for the second system;V_(Φ1)(R)/V_(r1)(R), V_(Φ2)(R)/V_(r2)(R)-relation between rotational andradial velocity components on radius R for the first and second systemsof helical trajectories accordingly; Φ_(10i), Φ_(20i)-values of angle Φat the beginning of the j-th helical trajectory of the first and secondsystems accordingly; n_(Φ1) and Φ_(20i)-maximum values of index j forthe first and second systems of channels accordingly. 9: The deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the central internal fairing has a shapedescribed by dependence: Z_(μ)=C_(μ)r² ₁, where C _(μ=()1−4)10⁴ ZR ²; Z,r-cylindrical coordinates; Z-height of axis symmetric volume of thedevice; R-radius of axis symmetric volume of the device. 10: The deviceaccording to claim 5, characterised in that the systems of channels areprovided with guide vanes in the form of movable elements, whichautomatically narrow the inlet into the first and second systems ofchannels as the rate of flow exceeds the nominal value. 11: The deviceaccording to claim 5, characterised in that an electric generator isarranged in any zone of the device, either over the turbine or under thelower shell of the inlet converging chamber. 12: The device according toclaim 5, characterised in that it is provided with a system of floatingsuspension members consisting of magnets, which ensure longitudinalspacing of the units of the device, electromagnets with a controlsystem, which compensate lateral and longitudinal oscillations of therotating parts of the device. 13: The device according to of claim 5,characterised in that it is equipped with a stabiliser of the number ofrevolutions and a flywheel connected to the central shaft of the device.14: The device according to claim 5, which is provided with a thermalaccumulator, which uses the energy of the sun or the energy of othersources of heat; installed over the flywheel and serves for heating andstimulation of the continuous medium upward flows, the surface of thesaid thermal accumulator being used for directing the upward flow intothe inlet converging chamber in the shape of preliminarily swirled jetsof the continuous medium. 15: The device according to of claim 5,characterised in that the supporting structure has at least threesupporting points and is rigidly connected to the surface of the inletchamber, the said structure is provided with recesses for theinstallation and fixing of the mechanical systems, central shaft of thedevice, magnetic suspension members and units of the device, and servesto ensure the required orientation of the entire device in relation tothe ground surface. 16: The device according to claim 5, furthercomprising a surface area, whereby said surface area ensures control ofthe process in the boundary and near wall layers of continuous mediumflows and which is provided with a three-dimensional relief wherein saidthree-dimensional relief are in a shape selected from the groupconsisting of concavities or convexities (27), curvature areas (29) andtransition areas (31), and whereby any section of said concavities (27)or convexities along the surface (23) has the shape of a smooth closedline, described by the relation: r(Φ, z)=(z/h)^(k) [r(h,0)−l _(c)/2+Δr(Φ/180 −1/4π sin 4πΦ/180)++A ₁ Δr(sin πΦ/180 −1/3 sin 3πΦ/180)+A ₂Δr(sin 2πΦ/180−1/2 sin 4πΦ/180)], where: r(Φ,z) is the section radius inthe direction of angle Φ counted from the line interconnecting thecenters of the adjacent concavities or convexities, or from any line,which lies in the indicated section; z is the section height over thelowermost point of the concavity or section distance from the uppermostpoint of the convexity; r(h,0) is the radius of the concavity orconvexity section in the direction of angle Φ=0°,Δr(h,0)=r(h,180)−r(h,0) is the difference between the radii of theconcavity or convexity section in the direction of angles Φ=180° andΦ=0°; l_(c) is the dimension of the curvature area projected onto aplane extending parallel to the streamlined surface; k=0, 3 to 0, 7 is acoefficient; −1<A₁<1 is a coefficient of the shape of the section;−1<A₂<1 is a coefficient of the shape of the section; the depth of theconcavities (27) or convexities h is 0,005 to 0,3 of the thickness ofthe boundary layer or of the equivalent hydraulic diameter of the duct;the curvature area (29) of the concavities or convexities has, in aplane perpendicular to the surface, a common tangent with the transitionarea (31), which is located between the adjacent concavities (27) orconvexities and which is in the shape of a bicurvature surface withradii R^(c1), R_(c2) meeting the following relations: |R_(c1)|≳3 h and|R_(c2)|≳3 h, whereby the dimension D of the concavities (27) orconvexities along the streamlined surface is D=(2 to 40) h, thedimension l_(c) of the curvature area (29) along the streamlined surfaceis l_(c)=(0,05 to 0,3) D, whereas the dimension l_(tr) of the transitionarea (31) along the line interconnecting the centers of the adjacentconcavities (27) or convexities is l_(tr)=(0,05 to 3) D. 17: The deviceaccording to claim 16, characterized in that the centers of theconcavities (27) or convexities are located in the vortices of aparallelogram, the lengths t_(pt) of the sides of which are within therange of 1,05 to 4 dimensions of the concavities (27) or convexities andthe vertex angle is α_(p)=20 to 90 degrees. 18: The method of conversionof the energy of continuous medium flows according to claim 3, furthercomprising that the converted flow is directed into the internal axissymmetric volume along two systems of trajectories converging towardsthe axis of symmetry of the said volume; the first of the said systemsforms a vortex flow just in front of the zone of conversion of therotational moment and mechanical energy, ensures concentration of themechanical energy and rotational moment in the axis symmetric volume andfurther conversion of the mechanical energy and rotational moment in thesame volume; whereas the second system of trajectories forms a flow witha reduced pressure, the said pressure reduction ensuring evacuation ofthe continuous medium, which flows out of the zone of conversion of theenergy and rotational moment; the first system of trajectories at firstfills the space, which is limited by the two surfaces of revolution, andthen assumes the form of helical lines, wherein the flow is swirled upin the second system of trajectories, and in this case the trajectoriesof the first system, which adjoin the surfaces of revolution, are firstshaped in accordance with the following dependencies: Z ₁(r)=C ₁ [r−R ₀/NR ₀ −R ₀−1/2π sin 2π(r−R ₀)/NR ₀ −R ₀], Z ₂(r)=C ₂ /r ² +C ₃ [r−R/NR ₀−R−1/2π sin 2π(r−R)/NR ₀ −R ₀], C₁≈−C₂/2R², C₃≈C₂/R², and then thetrajectories of the first system of trajectories are shaped as helicesin accordance with the following dependencies: Z _(1i)(r)=C _(4i) /r ²+C _(5i) [r−R/NR ₀ −R−1/2π sin 2π(r−R)/NR ₀ −R ₀],Φ_(1i)(r)=Φ_(10i)+ν_(Φ1)(R)/2ν_(r1)(R) R ² /R ₀ ² [R ₀ ² r ²−1+(r−R)²/2R₀(R ₀ −R)−1/2+R/2R ₀], R≦r≦R₀, 0<C_(4i)<C₂, C_(5i)=C₃C_(4i)/C₂, thesecond system of trajectories is formed as a result of the interactionbetween the directed flow and the concave surface of revolution, and thetrajectories of the second system of trajectories, which adjoin the saidsurface of revolution, are shaped according to the dependencies Z ₂(r)=C₆ /r ² +C ₇ [r−R/NR ₀ −R−1/2π sin 2π(r−R)/NR ₀ −R], R₀≦r≦NR₀ C₆≧C₂,C₇≧C₃, and then the trajectories of the second system of trajectoriesare shaped as helices in accordance with the dependencies: Z _(2i)(r)=C_(8i) /r ² +C _(9i) [r−R/NR ₀ −R−1/2π sin 2π(r−R)/NR ₀ −R ₀],Φ_(2i)(r)=Φ_(20i)+ν_(Φ2)(R)/2ν_(r2)(R)R ² /R ₀ ² [R ₀ ² r ₂ −1+(r−R)²/2R ₀(R ₀ −R)−1/2+R2R ₀], R≦r≦R₀, C_(8i)>C₈, C_(9i)>C₇, where: r,Φ, Z-cylindrical coordinates, in which axis Z coincides with the axis ofthe axis symmetric volume, in which the vortex flow is generated;R₀-distance from the axis of the axis symmetric volume to the beginningof the helical trajectories; R=1/5R-radius of the axis symmetric volumein the zone, where the formed vortex flow runs out of the said volume;NR₀-distance from the axis of axis symmetric volume to the beginning ofthe converging surface of revolution, N≧2; Ñ₂-constant value connectedwith height Z and radius R of the axis symmetric volume: C₂,C₃-constants, expressed through constants C₂; C_(4i), C_(5i)-constants,which vary within the above-indicated ranges; Φ_(10i), Φ_(20i)-values ofangle Φ at the beginning of the i-th he heal trajectory of the first andsecond systems accordingly: V_(Φ1)(R)/V_(r1)(R),V_(Φ2)(R)/V_(r2)(R)-relations of rotational and radial velocitycomponents at radius R for the first and second systems of helicaltrajectories accordingly; C₆, C₇-constants, which vary within theabove-indicated ranges; C_(8i)<ZR²-constant, which does not exceed theproduct of height Z of the axis symmetric volume, in which the vortexflow is generated, by the square of its radius R- C_(9i)< Z-constant,which is less than the height of the axis symmetric volume, in which thevortex flow is generated or is of the same order with this height.